Improved cast-iron chord-connection for bridges



N.PETERS, PHCTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

animi vagin CHARLE S KELLOGG, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Letters Patent No. 87,174, dated Februa/ry 23,1869.' I

IMPROVE!) CAST-IRON' CHORD-CONNECTION FOR BRIDGES.

The 4Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of thesame following is a full and exact description thereof,referl ence beinghad to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

My improvement relates to the construction of a castironchordlconnection, for uniting sections of wroughtiront-ubular chords,and forming bearings forthe lvertical posts in an iron truss-bridge; and

It consists- First, in forming said-chordconnection with verticallongitudinal cells, to admit the passage of the diagonal tie-rodsthrough the same, while distributing the metal to the best advantage toresist both the longitudinal and vertical compressive strains to whichit is subjected. l

Second, in casting a lug or projection from the top of the block, whenused iu a deck bridge, and connecting thereto the floor-beams, composedof'two I- beams, in the manner hereinafter described, wherebyT the beamperforms the triple function of a tie, collar, and supporting-beam.

Figure I is a side elevation of one of my improved connecting-blocks,showing portions of the post, chordsect-ions, tie-rods, and floor-beam,as arranged in a deck bridge.

Figure II is a central cross-section,

Figure III, a plan, and

FigureIV, a horizontal section thereof.

Like letters refer to like parts in each of the figures. A is myimproved connecting-block;

B B, portions ofthe sections of the top chord, which it unites;

C, the upper' portion of one of the posts;

D, one ofthe beams arranged for a deck-bridge; and e f, tie-rods,connecting with the lower chord.

The chord-sections are composedof wrought-iron, and may be ofcirculaiform, as shown, or of square or other common form ofconstruction.

The block A is preferably hollow cast, (as shown in Figs. II and IV,)with one or more Verticallongitudinal webs or walls, g, for supportingand sti'ening the bases thereof againstrvertical compression, and theends against the horizontal compression to which it is subjected.

Bosses h h h are cast at the ends and bottom, respectively, -of size andform to fit inthe ends of the chord-sections and the post, or capital,K, the latter being made separate or not, as preferred.

Suitable holes i are also formed in the top and bottom,.at each side, topermit the passage of the tierods through the outer spaces of thecasting, which rods are secured bynuts j in the usualv manner.

For deck-bridges, I form the upper surface of each connection with twolongitudinal ledges, l l, on which to support the end of the floor-beam,which can' be readily fitted thereto, and with a projection, Im, forsecuring the beam in place.

This beam is composed of two separate beams, the lf .inner edges of thelower flanges o of which, opposite -the projection m, arenotched to fltthe shank or vertical portion thereof, and permit the said danges tocome in contact, or nearly so, with each other.

The two I-portionsof the beam are now securely fastened together bybolts a, connecting the two webs 19, which renders the attachment to thechord complete.

The projection m may beoast with a an'ge at the top, to overlap theflanges of the beam, as represented,

although this is not essential, as the weight ofthe beam and door aresufficient to prevent Vertical movement.

This connection of the beam to the chord is of the most simplecharacter, yet-it. effectually accomplishes the required purpose ofsecuring the. beam i'n place, whereby it is made to perform the twoadditional functions of tie and roller-beam before specilied,'the'impoi-tance of which is obvious. What I claim as my invention, anddesire to secure by- Letters Patent, is

1. The cast-iron chordconnection A, constructed with verticallongitudinal partitions g, and bosses h ano h, substantially as hereindescribed..

1 2. The projection fm of the block A, arranged with the two I beam D,as herein described.

CEAS. KELLOGG. Witnesses:

JAY HYATT, J No. J. Bonnes,

